I have a new student started recently, and I don't think I've ever had such an enthusiastic one - well, I tell a lie.... but she's not exactly the quietly confident / self effacing type!

I have had 'quietly bursting with excitement' kind of people, and people on a mission (to do what they want to achieve, project wise), and who then have the skills learned to do more, and are very happy when they can do that.

Anyway...between class 1 and class 2 - only two days apart (I can't possibly wait a week!) - this lady had bought a pattern cutting book, and a pattern master, unprompted by me, although I did advise. We made pretty good progress, but realised that the draft we were using (not one I customarily use) wasn't exactly working out as it should, due to proportion issues i.e. most pattern cutting books drafts assume that if you have a large bust or hip measurement, the rest of you is proportionately GIANT, which of course just isn't the case. (My husband suffers not the same problem (!), but similar, in the fact that he is very tall with long arms, and so to get something simple like a t shirt or a casual shirt to be long enough in the body and sleeve length, he has to get XXXL sizes, whereas he isn't that size in horizontal measurements....)

This lady then spent a great deal of a weekend apparently, making 3 different versions of the draft (children standing around asking what she was doing!), as if her life depended on it, but of course learned loads in the process, and even though some of her assumptions weren't exactly right, she had made a damn good guess. I am very admiring of this attitude, 'sheer determination' I think you'd call it! Where there's a will there's a way.....So the next class we finished off the pattern so far, sewed the toile up, fitted it, and the lady concerned has sent me photos, but of course the proof is in the pudding, and I will have to see it on her.

The only thing I can't understand is how come she doesn't have some big earning job as an engineer or some such?! She could do that kind of thing standing on her head.

This is not to say that all my students are like this, or should be! I was just pleasantly surprised, amused and to be honest, it makes my job more fun! But no pressure, hey?!!

Anyway!!My Skype classes continue with pretty good success. So, if you live a long way from me, but can come for 2 or 3 'in person' classes, you would be an ideal candidate.Sign up, sign up!! Or phone me on 07941 619992, or email in reply here, or on atelier@bobbiesroom.co.ukI have also discovered that Apple's version of Skype, called 'Facetime' is loads better picture quality than Skype, so that detail of patterns etc., is easier to see. So if you have a mac device - laptop or ipad - it's even easier, but don't be put off if not - I've just been using Skype so far, and it is perfectly good.Please see some photos of my last Skype class, below. (Used by permission).

Bobbie

P.S. And by the way, I have a little feature of my wedding dress painting business, recently launched, Dressfresco, in the county Wedding magazine, 'Your Berk, Bucks and Oxon Wedding', so keep a look out at the end of this month in WH Smiths and other newsagents.

So if you know any bride, recent or a long time ago who would love her precious dress immortalised as a beautiful oil painting, or if you would like to give painting of the dress as a totally unique wedding present, please recommend her / have a look yourself at the Dressfresco website. ​